The Brockenhurst Guide - January 2014

The Brockenhurst

Guide

The independent directory of local businesses serving the residents of Brockenhurst

Delivered FREE around the village In this issue: Win a Family Portrait Gift Voucher Local Business Directory Hampshire Wildlife Trust News & Events Four pawed health kick for 2014!

Rhinefield Probus Club Short Story: Midsummer Miracle

January/February 2014

2

Letting... where you are

66 Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7RA

Phone: 08453 054109 Email: info@penyards.co.uk Website: www.penyards.co.uk

023 8065 9309

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If you want a house speak with an estate agent...

If you want a lifestyle speak with us!

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The Brockenhurst www.mayfair.com Guide

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4 Dear Brockenhurst, Welcome to your January / February edition of The Brockenhurst Guide! We have a full little Edition 25 magazine for you with lots of local shops and businesses who would like to help you. The index at the back gives you all there is to find inside.

From business opportunities to estate agents, to electricians, to plumbers, cycle shops, farm shops, solicitors, stamp collectors, roofing specialists and much more. When making any calls and enquiries please tell them that you saw their details in the Published by: Brockenhurst Guide. This makes all the difference, Stephen & Debbie Corney and makes our work all worth while. at Hampshire Publications There are also some articles, our very own Nellie Telephone: - the Hampshire Publications Campervan - story, 023 8065 9309 a short story by Judie Jones, as well as a prize Email: wordsearch, so do get that all important cuppa info@brockenhurstguide.co.uk and have a read. If you run a local club or society, Copy deadline for the please let me know, as I can promote you for free! If you have a business and would like to be March 2014 edition: 20th February 2014 included in The Brockenhurst Guide, then please Disclaimer: Whilst every care has give me a call. We offer free editorials with three been taken to ensure that data in month packages. this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability Stephen and I do hope that you had a good to any party to loss or damage Christmas and a party-filled New Year, despite caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident the weather. Did you make any New Year ’s or any other cause.

Resolutions? This is always a good time of year The Brockenhurst Guide does not to make positive changes, so good luck with officially endorse any advertising those. material included within the publication. No part of this Stephen and myself Wish you a Really Happy and publication may be reproduced, Successful 2014! stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without Very best wishes,

Welcome...

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prior permission of the publisher.

Cover Photo: Ober Water in Winter

Debbie & Stephen Corney Useful Numbers

Brockenhurst Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Southampton Gen. Hosp.

0845 045 45 45 08457 708090 0800 111999 023 8077 7222

Train Enquires First Bus Company Wessex Water Lymington Library

023 8065 9309

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The Brockenhurst Guide

6

Wildlife News

News & Events Winter Reserves

It’s good to get outside in winter and our countryside has a lot to offer. On the Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves there is always great wildlife to enjoy and some also have unusual historical features which add interest to a winter walk.

The Trust’s oldest reserve is Farlington Marshes, an internationally important site for migrant wildfowl where thousands of brent geese can be seen feeding on the grass, together with teal, pintail, shoveler and wigeon. Birds of prey such as peregrine, merlin, marsh harrier and shorteared owls can be seen here in winter.

Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes (near Milford on Sea) were once used for salt production but the land is now grazed and is another good place to see brent geese and waders such as dunlin, grey plover and black-tailed godwit.

Winnall Moors, Winchester, are old water meadows which play a vital role in helping to absorb water and protect the city from floods. In winter, flocks of brightly coloured siskin feed on seeds from alders and wildfowl also visit. Nearby St Catherine’s Hill has remains dating back to the Bronze Age (pits), the Iron Age (ramparts) Saxon boundaries and a Norman chapel, which gave the hill its name. In Medieval times, trackways, known as Dongas were made by animals and carts, plague pits were dug, and later a turf maze was cut.

Swanwick Lakes is an old clay pit site and therefore almost entirely a man-made landscape, with brick paths, bases of buildings and remains of an old conveyor belt indicating its past industry. The lakes, which are flooded clay pits, are now surrounded by woodland and meadow and are home to a variety of animals and birds.

Testwood Lakes near Totton, were originally gravel pits and during the winter attract wildfowl such as teal, mallard and wigeon together with flocks of lapwing.

Recent archaeological finds have shown that this was an important Bronze Age site. The remains of three bridges, built about 1550BC have been discovered, together with a cleat from a sea-going boat, a bronze rapier and a spearhead.

Full details of all the Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves can be found at www.hiwwt.org.uk Jill Edmunds, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

JANUARY

Monday 20th at 7.30pm Woodland Birds of the New Forest

Local ornithologist Marcus Ward tells us how he finds and monitors scarce woodland breeding birds of the Forest. He looks at the results of current survey work and ways of monitoring elusive species, such as Hawfinch and Firecrest. To be held at Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL. For further details please contact Janet Levitton on 01794 519262. Admission £3 on door.

Tuesday 21st at 10am-12noon Testwood Lakes Winter Wildlife Walk

Join our Reserves Officer for a guided walk around a very wintry-looking Testwood Lakes. We hope to see flocks of winter migrants such as lapwing, teal and wigeon as we look out from the bird hides. Binoculars are available to borrow. For further details and to book your place, please contact the Reserves Team on 023 8042 4206. All abilities are welcome. Suitable for all ages. Suggested donation £3. Sorry, no dogs.

Sunday 26th at 10am-12noon Blashford Birds

Join us for a guided walk around Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve’s bird hides to see the wildfowl winter visitors. Meet at “Tern Hide”. Parking at the main Blashford Lakes Reserve car park (not the Centre – Map ref. SU 151 083). For further details and to book your place, please contact Jim Day or Michelle Crooks on 01425 472760 or e-mail BlashfordLakes@hwt.org.uk. Suggested donation £3 per person. Sorry, no dogs.

For details of all our events, check out www.hiwwt.org.uk

Wildlife and the Mismaze at St Catherine’s Hill

by Brian Shorter

023 8065 9309

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Community News

Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail top public vote The Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail have been voted joint first in a poll to discover the public’s favourite activity at the third most visited country park in England.

Throughout the year visitors have been voting for the things they love most at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood. Their top 25 have now been announced marking the culmination of the Park’s 25 year celebrations.

Top of the list, Moors Valley Railway was the first attraction at the Park to be opened to the public and clearly remains a firm favourite more than 25 years on. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy a ride on an authentic steam train, travelling along the lakeside, through tunnels and over a bridge.

Tieing with the railway, in joint fi rst place, the mile-long Play Trail offers hours of outdoor family fun aschildren enjoy healthy activity and build their confidence scrabbling on its exciting wooden play structures.

Value for money also made it into the top five, with parking charges not deterring families looking for a great day out with no admission fees.

Countryside Interpretation Ranger Katie Davies said, “As we reach the end of our 25 year celebrations we are really pleased to know that people appreciate the family-friendly focus of the Park. It’s great to see a wide range of different experiences in the top 25, ranging from the ‘paying’ attractions like Go Ape and the Segways to more simple activities such as the lakeside walks and enjoying an ice cream.”

Looking to the future, 25 commemorative trees are to be planted around the Park’s newest play structure, the house of Baba Yaga. And the fun will continue in 2014 with lots more family-friendly activities, including the arrival of a very special visitor to Moors Valley Country Park in the New Year.

Please be aware that during the winter months Moors Valley Railway runs only at weekends and that other features may be closed for essential maintenance. The Visitor Centre and Tree Top Trail will be closed between 13th and 17th January 2014.

For more information contact the Moors Valley Rangers on 01425 470721 or go to www.moors-valley.co.uk

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Adventures of Nellie

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The Adventures of Nellie The Hampshire Publications Camper Van Wow what weather we have had recently!

Nellie was all set to take us to The New Forest Wildlife Park, to see the deer and other animals, but the park was shut due to storm damage. We hope the owners have managed to sort everything out and we promise to visit in the near future. Not to be put off we decided that Nellie was still to have a run around the New Forest, after her stay in the garden over Christmas.

On the planned day, upon waking, the sun was shining and it all looked perfect to see the wonderful sights of the open land and deep forestry so near to us. Unfortunately, as none of us in the family are particularly keen morning people, and taking such a long time to have breakfast and get ready, by 11.38am when we finally left the house, the sun had totally disappeared… in fact just as we set off the rain started to pour – again! Mum and Dad had come to stay with us for Christmas, so we all went, with Mum and Dad following in ‘The Matrix’, much like our holiday on the Isle of Wight in the summer.

Nellie was not perturbed by the rain and suitably stopped at the viewpoint just as you enter the New Forest from the A31 at Picket Post. It really is a fantastic view

New Forest pony enjoying a picnic

Nellie admires the views and if you ever need some space to relax, chill out or refl ect, then this is a good place to go. It would be a great place to make those all important New Year’s Resolutions! Last summer we were at this very same point and a New Forest pony came along and started eating the picnic of a very frustrated family, as you can see in the photo! Since the weather was very different at this time, we continued on our journey, to Burley. Burley really is somewhere special. In the summer there is a horse and cart to take you through the countryside, but today there was not so much activity, though all the quaint shops were open. We just had to take a look in each of them of course. Hayden bought the most cute pair of Sloopers at The Old Shed (not slippers, no I didn’t make a spelling mistake, just in case you wondered…). They are very much like a pair of jesters’ shoes and anyone who has been to the house and seen them on Hayden’s growing feet, has remarked how much they like them. They were a bargain at just over half price. Hayden bought them himself with some of his Christmas money. Money well spent – and not on an electronic game! Oh yes I bought an

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Hayden with his Sloopers from The Old Shed Elvis Christmas CD to play in Nellie on the way back. Sad but true I am afraid – it was the 28th December so I thought I could just about get away with it. After all the shopping excitement we went for lunch at The Burley Stores. Dad, who is a truly northern man and loves his sea food, opted for the breaded whitebait. He was not disappointed, the plate was full and thoroughly enjoyed! We all watched through the window as another downpour of rain soaked the village. (I couldn’t resist taking a photo of a place mat in one of the shop windows…)

I was determined that we would stop for a cup of tea in Nellie, so off we went, back to the viewpoint, and on went the whistling kettle. With the roof up, Hayden ‘upstairs’ and the front seat turned inwards, which is really useful, there was just enough seats

Sat snug and warm with a cuppa!

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for all of us to enjoy a cuppa and admire, albeit in a way that we were glad to be under cover, the glorious, if rather damp looking views in front of us - with Elvis softly singing away in the background.

We would never have done this without Nellie, as a car is just not the same.

The van brings us all together no matter the weather and in true British style we enjoyed ourselves despite the rain!

We didn’t of course stay overnight in Nellie on this trip. I say ‘of course’ as we may well have been blown dramatically down the hill with all the high winds we have had recently. There are in fact many caravan parks and campsites in the New Forest area. Stephen’s parents will

Place mat says it all... be staying at Bransgore in their touring caravan at Easter. Stephen’s sister will also be staying in her new bright yellow VW Campervan named Jessie Phyllis after her two late Grandmothers. That will be a story to tell!

So Nellie, Hayden, Stephen and myself at Hampshire Publications want to wish you all a really great 2014! Whatever you do, wherever you go, may you be happy and active. Where will Nellie go next? Find out in the next issue of The Brockenhurst Guide!

By Debbie Corney

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A four pawed health kick for 2014!

New Year is often a time when people something that many, for a number of think about their health and resolutions reasons, are unwilling or unable to take to go to the gym or start a diet are on. You don’t necessarily have to own made (and subsequently broken!). One a dog to gain these benefits as many thing that many people are unaware of charities are often looking for puppy is the health benefits of having a dog walkers or dog foster families. in the home.

Sandra Reeves took another route These benefits go far beyond the and joined dog boarding company physical improvements associated Wagging Tails as a dog carer. She now with gym membership or dieting. welcomes guest dogs into her home Writing in the British Journal of Health for their holidays when their owners Psychology Dr Deborah Wells reviewed go away and in addition to the health a number of previous research papers benefits of having dogs around also concluding that dog ownership can receives a small payment for looking be shown to help prevent us from after her four-legged guests. becoming ill, facilitate recovery from “It is a great opportunity to meet so ill-health, reduce levels of anxiety, many different types of dogs and loneliness and depression as well as characters. It provides me with lots enabling greater social interaction for of long walks and I get to meet so owners. Health psychologist Dr June many other dog owners when out and McNicholas agrees with this final about, making lots of new friends in point, observing that the opportunity the process.” for social interaction that comes with To find out more about becoming a having a dog is a major reason for the Wagging Tails carer please visit: increased health in dog owners while www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/carer/so adding that, “For older people, an animal can fulfil the ‘need to be needed’, perhaps after children have left home. In some cases, the social support offered by an animal is greater than the support another human could offer.”

Dog ownership obviously brings with it a large amount of responsibility and commitments Wagging Tails carer Sandra Reeves with Christmas guests Cyril & Olive

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Digital retinal photography: For over-40s, or when your optician recommends it. ©2013 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

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Recipe

Tastes so good...

PORK & LENTIL BAKE WITH APPLE

This meal goes a long way for a small budget, warming and delicious - perfect for a winter supper.

Good butchers and some supermarkets will sell pigs cheeks - they’re a great economical cut and become deliciously tender with a long, slow cook. Diced pork is a great substitute.

Ingredients:

Equipment: Large casserole dish

180g unsalted butter 6 sticks celery, washed and chopped 2 medium sized onions diced 450g or 8 individual pigs cheeks 450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered 3 carrots peeled and batoned 2 parsnips peeled and sliced thickly 500ml apple juice 500ml good stock 200g puy lentils, rinsed and picked over for any stones 1 tablespoon sunflower oil

Method: Fry the celery and the onion together in the sunflower oil until softened in a large casserole dish.

If using pigs cheeks remove any tough membranes or fatty tissue and cut each cheek into 4.

Add the pork to the celery and onion and cook until the meat is browned on all surfaces.

Add the apples, carrots, apple juice and stock.

Finally add the lentils and stir together making sure the meat and the lentils are submerged in the stock.

Cook in a slow oven (150ºC/ Gas Mark 2 1/2) for 2 hours. You can cook it for longer and the meat will become even more deliciously tender.

If using diced pork keep an eye on it, but 1 hour to 1 and a half hours should be perfect.

Taste for seasoning before serving. Adjust as required.

Serve in dishes with crusty bread and spring greens or purple sprouting broccoli.

Diane Johnson

023 8065 9309

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The Brockenhurst Guide

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auto Motoring

BIOGRAPHIES SEAT Alhambra SE 2.0

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Writer

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PEOPLE CARRIERS just aren’t sexy. That’s a fact. But SEAT’s Alhambra is a perennially popular one – for a very good reason.

As an authentic Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the almighty Alhambra’s adaptability fits just as well to family necessities as it does to the needs of the milemunching business driver.

The sizable SEAT’s sporting spirit and driving enjoyment certainly go hand-in-hand with common sense and originality. And thanks to its unexpectedly lively handling and hi-tech equipment, you can look forward to every mile behind the wheel. With a combined fuel consumption figure of around 50 mpg, the Alhambra SE 2.0 TDI CR Ecomotive 140 PS won’t rob you at the pumps either.

The present incarnation of the motor, launched in late 2010, is longer than its forerunner - and wider. There’s plenty of breathing space for adults to sit happily, even in the third row of fold-away seats, whilst the big sliding doors allow fantastically easy access.

The load area is charitable, too. When configured as a five-seater the Alhambra has 885 litres of luggage space available, which swells to a vast maximum of 2,297 litres if only the front two seats are in use. In other words, this car could help clear out a large swathe of a white goods department!

Aesthetically, the MPV has an undeniably broad,

powerful presence, but its slightly overstuffed looks won’t be to everyone’s taste. Beneath its so-so skin, the Alhambra’s TDI engine, on test here, generates 138bhp. It produces good, low down pulling power for such a large vehicle, and efficiency measures such as a Start-Stop system and brake energy recovery technology come as standard.

The stock safety equipment is, like much of the Alhambra, impressive. It involves seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child locks on the rear doors. Also standard is electronic braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, and stability aids.

Indeed, the award-winning SEAT Alhambra is an MPV with some truly decent features. So it's no shocker it was not only named Best MPV by Diesel Car, but voted Best MPV in WhatCar? Car of the Year 2011, 2012 and 2013!

Such a good vehicle comes at a cost though. This car, bought new, isn’t that far off the £30,000 mark. That’s an awful lot of cash to splash for room and versatility.

But, let’s face it, when it comes to transporting your family around, safety is priceless.

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PROS ‘N’ CONS Roomy √ Safe and sound √ Efficient √ Questionable looks X Pricey X

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Money Saving Tips

Martin

LEWIS Cashback cards

If I told you I could give you £100s a year with no debt and very little hassle – and all you need to do is change your plastic – would you? If the answer’s yes, read on, as now is the perfect time to grab a cashback credit card. For many, it’s an easy and lucrative way to boost your income.

Now’s the moment because the top deals will boost cashback for the first three months you have them.

So apply NOW and that boost lasts for most people’s highest-spending period – Christmas and the January sales.

This can be serious cash. As one of my Twitter followers (@martinslewis), NM, told me: "Our cashback cards earned us £250+ last year." This isn’t unusual, I’ve even heard of some big spenders going over the £1,000 mark. So here’s what you need to know: Never pay interest on a cashback card Cashback cards only win if you set up a direct debit to repay IN FULL every month. If not, don't go for a cashback card, go for the best 0% for spending deals (see www.mse.me/spendingcards).

Now you've got a debit card that pays you Your credit card is now effectively a monthly-billing debit card, provided you stick within the limit. Use it for ALL spending instead of cash, cheques and debit cards. If you're in a trusting relationship, add your partner as a second cardholder, so their spending earns too.

Huge 5% cashback over Christmas and January sales The no annual fee www.americanexpress.co.uk Platinum Everyday card pays newbies 5% for the first three months until January, up to a maximum £100 back in that time. Though if you fail to fully repay, it's 19.9% rep APR. After the 5% ends, the rate's up to 1.25%, depending on how much you spend. It requires a decent credit score and household earnings of £20,000+.

You'll get the cashback in time for next Christmas With the Amex card your cashback is paid on the anniversary of the account opening. In effect, it's actually subtracted from your spending. For example, if you owed £400 and had £200 cashback, you'd be charged £200. So open one now and it’s a boost for next Christmas.

Top card if you’ve a less than perfect credit score To get most cashback cards you need a good credit score. Frustratingly, the only way to find out for sure is to apply, but that involves putting a mark on your credit file (whether you’re accepted or not).

To find your likely odds of acceptance for many different cards, I’ve built an Eligibility Checker tool at www.mse.me/CashbackEligibility, which tells you your chances without any impact on your credit score.

For those with a lower credit score, the card most likely to accept you is the www.capitalone.co.uk Classic Extra. It pays 0.5% cashback, plus a £10 yearly bonus if you manage it well, paid each January. As it's primarily marketed as a card to rebuild credit for those with weak histories, even some with past CCJs or defaults can get it. Though you must repay IN FULL each month, or it's a hideous 34.9% APR. Cashback card golden rules: These three facts are so important they’re worth reiterating: a) Always use a monthly direct debit to repay IN FULL, so it's interest-free. b) Don't use it as an excuse to overspend. c) Ensure you've got the cash to repay monthly.

Spending on a credit card is huge extra protection By law, buy anything costing £100 to £30,000 and pay, even partly, on any credit card (not debit or charge) and Section 75 laws mean the lender's jointly liable. So if an item's faulty, or the retailer goes bust pre-delivery, you can get money back from the card firm.

@MoneySavingExpert

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     

Here’s a great way to make more storage space...

Install a loft ladder and make more use of your loft!

Loft ladder, Light & Switch plus 50 sqft of flooring from as little as £277+VAT which includes FREE fitting in less than a day.

Over 1500 people have chosen us to fit their loft ladder, this is because we offer: • A FREE home visit • A FREE written quotation

• Fully guaranteed • A large selection of ladders

more than “cost effective space”

The Brockenhurst Guide

24

Start your year with a smile!

New Year...

New Start?

HOBNAIL HILLIER HAIRCUT

Would you smile enjoy all life H if you could H has to offer with complete peace of mind?

Smile

Would you smile if you could enjoy all life has to offer with complete peace of mind?

Would a regular full or part-time income make a difference to your life?

Would a regular full or part-time income make a difference to your life?

Smile

We are a £43m UK company, with an impeccable 20 year H due to unprecedented track record. Currently expanding growth within the organic health & wellness sector, we offer flexibility, a great lifestyle and a substantial income, alongside your existing commitments.

If you are honest, ethical & hardworking, then we would like to hear from you.

We are a £43m UK company, with an impeccable 20 year track record. Currently expanding due to unprecedented growth within the organic health & wellness sector, we offer flexibility, a great lifestyle and a substantial income, alongside your existing commitments.

If you are honest, ethical & hardworking, then we would like to hear from you.

Full training & ongoing Investor in People support provided.

Full training & ongoing Investor in People support provided.

To find out more contact:

To find out more contact:

Diana on 07825 288931

Diana on 07825 288931

Lymington’s fresh approach to dentistry At Solent House Dental Centre our team of registered specialists, dentists and hygienist have been offering high quality routine, restorative and cosmetic dentistry to patients in the New Forest for years.

s (IGH QUALITY GENERAL DENTAL CARE s 4EETH STAIGHTENING s $ENTAL IMPLANTS s 'UM TREATMENT s 6ENEERS s #ROWNS

s "RIDGEWORK s 4EETH WHITENING s .EW )NVISALIGN BRACES s A friendly, expert and professional service that you can trust

We’re right on your doorstep, so why not come and check us out

Call now on 01590 672986 or visit www.solent-dental.co.uk Solent House Dental Centre Cannon Street, Lymington, Hants, SO41 9BR

023 8065 9309

Donald F Mackenzie Yvonne T Mackenzie

25

The Brockenhurst Guide Prize Wordsearch

N O I T U L O S E R C N C A J

O C V X G W B I Y K Z Z Z A T

I O M J O I D N L I O C R S S

A L V M X N E Y Y U P G O N K

Y D O K H T A F E F F R I S V

S A Q Q R E M Y B R F H S I W

T F D R O R U R R N P V J Y N

A X X Z J X Q F A L S B T M S

R W W J Y F I Q E R W B H W V

T Q T K U U Z Q Y Z R J K L W

S J C T D Y A E P H H L Q X O

D X U P D N L U A S L M P G N

Y R A U C T Z D E L L I G T S

E I M R F T B W L Q L V N G T

T O N O I T A R B E L E C M Z

SNOW FROST COLD LEAP YEAR WISH CELEBRATION START RESOLUTION WINTER FUTURE

This month, the prize is a family portrait adventure gift pack from Barrett & Coe, so please complete this page by 25th January and send to: January Prize Wordsearch Name: ______________________ The Brockenhurst Guide, Address: ______________________ 1 Moorlands Rise, ______________________ West Moors, ______________________ Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone: ______________________

The Brockenhurst Guide

26

Hampshire Library Service Mobile Library in Brockenhurst

Every Monday afternoon between 1.30 and 4.00pm in the lane leading to Homeforde House opposite the Football Ground, off Grigg Lane in Brockenhurst.

As well as Adult Fiction, Non fiction and Children’s books you can borrow from a wide range of large print and talking books – tapes and CD’s - and if we don’t have titles you want we will order them from one of our 54 libraries in Hampshire.

No overdue charges.

For more information about your mobile library schedules and services mentioned please check out our website www.hants.gov.uk/libraries or ring our Contact Centre on 0845 603 5631.

Rhinefield Probus Club

The Rhinefield Probus Club meets every third Wednesday at 10:00am at the Forest Park Hotel, Rhinefield Road, Brockenhurst.

We have a wide variety of entertaining speakers followed by lunch.

New members and guests are always welcome.

For further details please visit our website: www.rhinefieldprobus.org.uk Or contact the Secretary at: secretaryrhinefieldprobus@hotmail.com

NEW FOREST

We get together on every third Thursday in the month at The Masonic Centre, Grigg Lane, Brockenhurst 2.00 - 4.30pm.

Support and information is available to people with Parkinson’s, their carers, family & friends.

Tea and cake will be served and all are very welcome.

Our January speaker will be Rob Chapman from Age Concern.

023 8065 9309

27

The Brockenhurst Guide

28

Midsummer Miracle

by Judie Jones

Victoria woke with a start. her neck soaked with perspiration; her heart pounding beneath her ribs. For a moment disorientated, she glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 2am. As if something had pierced her heart, she remembered. Lionel; she’d dreamed of Lionel. Lionel, standing under the old apple tree, looking toward her, beckoning to her, with that lazy smile on his face. Although no day went by without thinking of him, he’d never before come to her in a dream.

Switching on the bedside light, she picked up the framed photograph. Lionel, so dashing in his uniform, holding in front of him the gold St Christopher inscribed with their entwined initials. Her present to him to keep him safe.

Rising from the bed and supported by her stick she moved to the open window. It was stifling - no breeze - almost impossible to breathe.

How long is this heat wave going to last, she thought. Without bothering with dressing gown or slippers, she went downstairs, through the kitchen, unlocked the backdoor and wandered out onto the terrace. From there, lighted by the moon, she could just see the orchard. The orchard where, under the large apple tree, they’d said goodbye, all those years ago.

Walking slowly down the path, through the little wicket gate, she made for that same apple tree. The timber dry grass crackled beneath her feet and a slight movement in the air rustled the leaves above her. There she carefully lowered herself onto the ground and leaned back on the gnarled trunk.

She recalled that other long stifling hot summer; that evening when they’d first met. It was the village Annual Midsummer Dance. There he was, a pint in one hand and a pipe in the other. Dark, handsome, glorious in his uniform, laughing and joking with his fellow pilots.

For the first time in her life she knew what it was to feel desire. It was so powerful, so overwhelming. For a moment the world seemed to stand still. She wanted to throw herself at him - imagining him hugging her - kissing her. A friend introduced them, ‘Lionel Oakley, meet Victoria

023 8065 9309

29

Ellis.’ As he took her hand in his, it was like electrical impulses darting through her veins, sending her pulses racing.

Love at first sight, for that was what it was, was mutual. For the next ten days, they were hardly apart. They walked, they talked; made plans and promises; revelling in the wonder of what they felt for each other. It was as if they were suspended in space. An occasional social event, meeting friends, leisurely romantic meals; never wanting to be apart. Never wanting the moment to end. Victoria had never known such happiness, such closeness and warmth. Never before had anything felt so right, so comfortable. They were soul mates.

They said their tearful goodbye under that old apple tree and he drove away to join his squadron, round his neck the engraved gold St. Christopher.

He was reported killed in action. His body lying somewhere in the depths of the North Sea. There was no grave. Just his name, along with many others, on the role of honour at Biggin Hill and later on the Battle of Britain Monument on Victoria Embankment.

Victoria closed her eyes. The memories crowding back, so intense so real so painful. She could almost feel him beside her; almost hear his dear voice whispering her name. *** They found Victoria the next morning. A smile on her face as she lay in her final sleep. As they lifted the old lady onto the stretcher, something fell from her hand. A gold St.Christopher, engraved with the initials L.O.V.E. Judie runs a local writing group. The Writers’ Study is a self-help, non profit-making group which supports aspiring writers from the beginner to those with more experience, through mutual critique, workshops, talks and competitions. The aim is to make writing fun. For details contact Judie Jones via email at lanternj@talktalk.net If you are a budding writer and would like to send in a short story, we would love to hear from you!

The Brockenhurst Guide

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Index of advertisers

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Directory...

Bedrooms Flair Interiors.................................................... 9

Interior Designers @No. 19........................................................... 5

Builders & Carpenters New Forest Home Improvements.....................15

Kitchens Flair Interiors.................................................... 9 Portman Stone..................................................16

Business Opportunities Diana Devereux................................................24 Catering Services Amuse Bouche..................................................21 Community News Adventures of Nellie.........................................12 Four pawed health kick for 2014!.....................14 Hampshire Mobile Library................................26 Hampshire Wildlife Trust.................................. 6 Martin Lewis: Cashback Cards..........................22 Moors Valley Railway tops public vote.............10 Motoring: Seat Alhambra SE 2.0......................20 Parkinsons UK: New Forest Branch...................26 Recipe: Pork & Lentil Bake with Apple..............18 Rhinefield Probus..............................................26 Short Story: Midsummer Miracle.....................28

Letting Agents & Property Management Penyards........................................................... 2 Lofts More Than Loft Ladders...................................23 Opticians Specsavers........................................................17 Pet Services Wagging Tails...................................................15 Plumbing & Heating First Choice Heating & Gas............................... 1

Computer Services K W Computers................................................. 7

Puzzles & Competitions Crossword......................................................... 8 Honeycomb.......................................................24 Prize Wordsearch..............................................25 Sudoku.............................................................. 8

Cycle Shops Cyclexperience..................................................13

Renewable Energy Solutions Nick Good Property Services.............................19

Dentists Solent House Dental Centre..............................24

Roofing Forest Park Roofing..........................................21

Electricians Dorset Electrical & Fire Alarms......................... 7

Solicitors Abrams Collyer.................................................27 Heppenstalls.....................................................11

Estate Agents Penyards........................................................... 3 Spencers of the New Forest..............................32

Stamps, Coins, Postcards and Collectibles Rushstamps of Lyndhurst..................................23

Farm Shops Lisa’s Larder...................................................... 7

Windows, Doors & Conservatories New Forest Home Improvements..................... 8

Funeral Directors R Hallum...........................................................11

Woodburners & Stoves New Forest Woodburning Centre.....................31

Hearing Aids & Services Kellear Hearing............................................... 15

Worktops Portman Stone..................................................16

Hotels & Restaurants The Cloud Hotel................................................16

023 8065 9309

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The Brockenhurst Guide

www.spencersnewforest.com

Set in a delightful and secluded plot, an extremely spacious detached property of approx. 3,100sq.ft.

A substantial detached five bedroom country house set in a delightful plot of approx. 1/2 acre.

Excellent Scope to Create a Contemporary Home | Three Reception Rooms | Three Bedrooms | EPC Current: 51 Potential: 62

Four Reception Rooms | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Five Bedrooms | Two Bathrooms Double Garage | EPR Current: 48 Potential: 80

BROCKENHURST £695,000

BROCKENHURST £850,000

Set in a delightful and secluded plot a detached four bedroom property with direct forest access.

A spacious three bedroom detached family home set on a corner plot, with excellent scope (stpp).

Three Reception Rooms | Kitchen/Dining Room Four Bedrooms | Two Bathrooms | Double Garage | EPR Current: 28 Potential: 66

Three Reception Rooms | Kitchen | Three Bedrooms | Bathroom | Double Garage | EPR Current: 59 Potential: 68

BROCKENHURST £895,000

BROCKENHURST £379,950 Brockenhurst Office: 41 Brookley Road Brockenhurst SO42 7RB

T. 01590 622551 Brockenhurst - Burley - Lymington - Ringwood - London - Lettings

The Brockenhurst Guide

1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR